Hutchison Ports' Port of Felixstowe has ordered 34 more Autonomous Trucks from Shanghai Westwell Technology Co Ltd, doubling the fleet introduced earlier this year, reports Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The initial batch of 34 trucks was deployed at Trinity Terminal in mixed traffic mode, marking the first such use of autonomous vehicles in European port operations.

Clemence Cheng, executive director of Hutchison Ports and CEO of the Port of Felixstowe, said the expanded fleet will boost efficiency and resilience. He noted the new trucks will feature upgraded sensors for improved performance.

Mr Cheng added that the port's private 5G network enabled the expansion and supports its goal of net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.

Kenny Tan, founding chairman of Westwell, said the delivery of the second batch and launch of a battery swapping station mark a milestone in smart port operations. He credited the partnership with Felixstowe for the project's success.

The port's 5G network, among the largest in the UK, supports communication and control for both autonomous and conventional equipment. The battery swap station allows trucks to exchange depleted units for charged ones in five to six minutes without manual input.

The trucks are equipped with 128-line LiDAR, 360-degree camera vision, monocular and stereo cameras, and radar.

Hutchison Ports, based in Hong Kong, operates a global network of ports and logistics services. Port of Felixstowe is the UK's largest container port and part of the Hutchison group.

Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. Ltd develops AI solutions for logistics, including autonomous vehicles and smart energy systems.